Presidency Apologizes For Postponement Of South-South Summit

November 18, 2020

The Presidency has apologized for the absence of the federal government delegation to, and postponement of, a planned meeting with governors and stakeholders of the South-South region recently.

In a statement today, November 18, the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the absence of the federal government delegation was as a result of an emergency security meeting summoned by the President, “certainly not out of disrespect.

“The delegation to the meeting, under the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, ministers and heads of security and intelligence agencies were in full readiness to proceed to Port Harcourt until they were directed to stay back for the emergency security meeting.

“This information and regret for the inconvenience caused were conveyed to the hosts of the meeting through what we believed were the right channels.

“As may have been gleaned from the statement read by the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, the extraordinary National Security Council meeting, under the President, was called in view of the gravity of the security situation affecting all parts of the country, including the South-South in the aftermath of the ENDSARS protests, and the need to rise to protect our national security and territorial integrity.
“The President is strongly and resolutely committed to hearing from leaders, stakeholders and our youth on burning issues affecting all parts of the federation, and to this effect, a new date for the meeting with the South-South will be agreed after due consultations with the parties concerned.

“Once again, the unavoidable postponement of the meeting is regreted.”

Gov Umahi’s Defection To APC Might Ruin Him Politically – Rivers Gov, Wike

Editorial staff

November 18, 2020

River State Governor, Nyesom Wike has expressed fear that the defection by his Ebonyi State counterpart, Governor David Umahi from his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) might end up ruining him politically.

In a statement today, November 17, reacting to Governor Umahi’s defection yesterday, Governor Wike said: “Umahi’s presumptuous move might be too hasty and will ruin him politically.”

“In life, power is sweet, but conscience is important. It is most offensive and insulting for a man to lie against his party because of power.”

He said that for Umahi to claim that he dumped the PDP because of the injustice the party meted out to the South-East region was erroneous, adding that he left the PDP for his supposed quest to become the president of Nigeria in 2023.

“My friend, Umahi wants to be president. There is no problem about that. You have a right to be president. Nobody can stop you. You are educated. You have been a governor for two terms, so you are qualified to say I want to be president of Nigeria. But, that does not mean you should because of that blackmail your party, and tell lies to the people you are leaving the party because of the injustice meted against the South-East, that is not correct.”

Governor Wike, who demanded that Umahi should retract the statement that the PDP had not been fair to the South-East, argued that under the PDP, the South-East has produced Senate presidents; national vice chairman of the PDP and Secretary to the Federal Government.

He said that it was erroneous for Umahi to accuse PDP of injustice when he had unilaterally imposed his younger brother as South-East zonal vice chairman of the PDP.

The Rivers State governor said though APC had not yet told Nigerians where it would zone its presidential ticket,

According to him, assuming the APC decides to zone its presidential ticket to the South-East where the party has no formidable base, what is the guarantee that Umahi will secure the ticket.

“My reaction to Governor Umahi’s defection is not that he has no right to defect, but to say he is defecting because of injustice meted to the South-East that is insulting to the South East.”

The governor urged the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of the PDP to take decisive steps to ensure that PDP does not die in Ebonyi State.

I Admire Your Courage; Be Prepared To Face Name-Calling, Buhari Tells Gov Umahi

Editorial staff

November 18, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the courage of the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reacting to the defection, President Buhari described the defection by the governor as “a bold move driven purely by principle rather than opportunistic motives.

“I am proud of Governor David Umahi for taking this bold decision in accordance with his conscience and principles rather than any external influence or coercion.

“Good governance is very important to us in the APC, and I’m glad that the governor has cited this as a major factor in his decision to join us. I urge our citizens to pay less emphasis on identity politics if we want our democracy to make a positive impact on our country.”

President Buhari said that with men like Umahi, “I foresee a brighter future for our democracy because the voters will be more motivated by performance records of parties and their candidates.

“Let me once again; commend the boldness of Governor Umahi for taking this courageous decision in a country where principles are in short supply among many. I know people might call him names, but that is the price men of principles have to pay for acting according to their conscience and convictions.”

Without Apology, I Am A True Nigerian, Gov Wike Insists

Editorial staff

November 18, 2020

“Without any apology, I am a true Nigerian. I believe that things must be done properly in a way that every component part of this country will be satisfied.”

Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State made this point known today, November 17 when a delegation of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Wike reiterated he had never been against any particular ethnic group living in the state, including every law abiding Igbos.

He maintained that as a governor, he could not tolerate a situation where some misguided persons under the guise of IPOB would unleash attack on innocent Nigerians in Rivers State.

Speaking against the background of the trouble caused in the State by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Bianfra (IPBO), Governor Wike stressed that he had no regret fighting and reinforcing the prescription of the outlawed IPOB in the State because of his belief in the unity of Nigeria.

He called on the people to rise to protect and defend the interest of the country and not allow parochial, sentimental politics to destroy the country.

Wike recalled that the #EndSARS protest was peaceful in the state until IPOB hijacked it and committed arson by killing six army officers, four police officers, burnt police stations and courts.

He made it clear that he would not sit as Governor and watch such lawless acts perpetrated by a people that had been proscribed by the federal government to cause ethnic war.

He said that if the State Security Council had not proactively imposed curfew in the entire Oyigbo Local Government Area, the situation would have degenerated to war between Igbo and Hausa community residing in the area.

He said that the decision forestalled ethnic reprisal that would have led to total breakdown of law and order in Oyigbo local government area and parts of Diobu axis of the state capital.

Media Outfit Detects 101 Fake News That Escalated EndSARS Mayhem In Parts Of Nigeria

Editorial staff

November 18, 2020

An Abuja-based media outfit, PRNigeria has released a preliminary report on 101 instances of fake news on the End SARS protest. The report said that the misleading assertions partly caused the civil disorder in affected states.

According to the report, about 52 fake news emerged from South-West, 19 from the South-East and 30 from the North.

It discovered that social media influencers made up 40 percent of those who transmitted fake news and that other social media user constituted 31 percent, local and international media 22 percent and institutions 7 percent.

The report said that fact-checking tools detected 48 incorrect social media posts and 53 news stories.

“The timeline of dissemination indicates that 31 percent of the fictitious claims were circulated on the internet between October 3 to 19, 2020 (pre-Lekki shooting).

“However, 69 percent were shared between October 20 and November 5, 2020 (post-Lekki shooting).”

Your Dictatorial Tendencies Destroying PDP, Gov Umahi Tells Gov Wike

Editorial staff

November 18, 2020

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has described his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, as a dictator whose actions are destroying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Umahi was reacting to a statement by Governor Wike, who said he (Umahi) left the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of his desperation to be president of the country in 2023. He spoke today, November 17 on an Arise TV interview programme.

The Ebonyi Governor said that Governor Wike’s dictatorial tendencies and overbearing influence on the party’s affairs had made other governors to be unhappy with him, warning Wike to desist from attacking him “as it would be very dangerous if both of them continue attacking each other.

“I refused to join issues with Wike because he is my friend. But Wike must know that he is a dictator. Wike must know that one person cannot be called a crowd. Wike must know that a lot of governors in PDP are not very happy with him. He remote controls the party.

“He (Wike) said that I made my brother the Vice Chairman. I fund the PDP South-east from A to Z. And he has forgotten that he singlehandedly made Secondus the (PDP) Chairman. He has forgotten that he wanted to impose one of his own as minority leader of the house.

“There is nothing that happens in PDP without his authorisation. He once said that PDP National Working Committee members are beggars and bribe takers. I have asked him that let’s not take on ourselves or else it will be very dangerous.

“So let’s us face the party, the party does not belong to him. And this is by no means personal and he is demonstrating the dictatorial tendencies in him by taking on me, a fellow governor. And that is very shameful.”

Saraki Reconciles With His Sister, Gbemisola

Greenbarge Reporters

November 18, 2020

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki reconciled with his sister, current minister of State for Transport, Gbemisola Saraki recently. The two, one in the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the other in the All Progressives Congress (APC), have for long, been as divided as the two political parties.

I Won’t Surrender, Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau Vows

Editorial staff

November 17, 2020

Leader of Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad otherwise known as Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has vowed not to surrender to Nigeria’s authorities, saying that those who have surrenders to take part in the Nigerian amnesty programme have left the fold of religion.

“Members of Boko Haram who recanted from the group and joined the amnesty program in the North-East have left the fold of religion.”

Shekau, who spoke in a 30-minute video, seen by HumAngle in response to the Nigerian Army’s fresh manhunt for him, vowed that the war against the government would continue even after him.

He emphasized that he and his men would never consider such a path in their lifetime, putting aside any chance of reconciliation between his group and the state.

In the video, the Boko Haram leader was shown sitting and is circled by two of his fighters holding guns in a less spacious room.

He said: “nobody can apprehend me because I’m doing God’s work. He will protect me like those doing similar work and seeking His protection.

“I’m very sure God will protect my commanders. We are all doing God’s work.

“Arresting me will not stop the work we started. What confuses you is you think the religion is mine but it belongs to Allah.”

The Nigerian Army had on Wednesday, November 11, kicked off a fresh manhunt for Shekau and some of the top Boko Haram commanders.

A banner showing the pictures of Shekau, Abu Mus’ab Albarnawy, and Ibrahim Abu Maryam, who topped the most wanted list, was unveiled by Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, and Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff.

You’re Not Bigger Than The Party, PDP Chides Ebonyi Gov Over Defection To APC

Editorial staff

November 17, 2020

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that nobody, not even the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, who quit the party today, November 17 and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is bigger than the party.

“As we wish Governor Umahi all the best in his adventure, we call on the members of our party to remain calm and committed to the ideals of our party as no individual is bigger than the PDP.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who reacted in Twitter handle, to the defection of the governor, who was elected and serving under the PDP, remarked: “Our party thanks Governor Umahi for services rendered to the people of Ebonyi State, as the State Chairman of Ebonyi PDP (2003 to 2007); deputy governor of Ebonyi State (2007 to 2015) and two-term governor of Ebonyi (2015 till date), all elected on the platform of the PDP.”

Gov Umahi Of Ebonyi Dumps PDP, Crosses To APC

Editorial staff

November 17, 2020

Governor David Umahi Of Ebonyi State has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform on which he came to office, insisting that he did so in the interest of the South East region.

Speaking in Abakaliki today, November 17, Umahi alleged that despite serving the PDP for years, the party does not give attention to the interest of the region.

He said that his stance on zoning the presidential ticket to the South-East is not for his favour as being speculated in some quarters.

Umahi explained that he would continue to agitate for the interest of the South-East, stressing that he has decided to become the sacrificial lamb that would be crucified for the interest and good purpose of Ndigbo in general.

“Let me clear the air and state that I never sought for the ticket of PDP presidency and I will not. Whoever that said that I moved to APC because they refused to zone the ticket to me is being very mischievous.

“Because even if PDP promises me, an individual a presidential ticket, how does it work?

“It is expected that over 8,000 delegates would elect the person and such promise can not happen with less than 10 or 20 people.”

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